Pat Tillman’s Mom Thinks ‘Divisive’ Prince Harry Doesn’t Deserve Award Named After Son Amid Petition ESPN Reconsider Winner
Many are against Prince Harry receiving the Pat Tillman Award, including the mother of the late athlete who enlisted in the United States Army.
The Duke of Sussex is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award at the 2024 ESPYs next month. However, several are questioning the decision as they believe someone else could be more deserving. Tillman's mom, Mary, shares the same sentiment.
"I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award," Mary told the Daily Mail. "There are recipients that are far more fitting. There are individuals working in the veteran community that are doing tremendous things to assist veterans."
She added, "These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections, or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognised."
Mary's statement comes amid the backlash against Prince Harry receiving the award. A petition on Change.org urging ESPN to "Rethink Awarding the Pat Tillman Award to Prince Harry" has received nearly 20,000 signatures as of this writing.
According to Patti Mickel, who started the petition, Tillman's story touched her life. She was moved by his "undeniably remarkable" patriotism, loyalty and ultimate sacrifice for his military squad. He also showed "unwavering dedication" to their squad and country, which Mickel felt wasn't the case with the Duke of Sussex.
"Ergo, I find ESPN's decision to award Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman award at the ESPYs disconcerting," the petition read.
"Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude. He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills. The Prince also allegedly targeted his own father, Prince Charles, during a flyover. More recently, his role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticized as self-centered."
One petition supporter said, "Tillman sacrificed his life for duty and country [while] Harry walked away from duty and country & spit on his commander in chief, country, duty & family on his way out."
Prince Harry served in the military for 10 years. The Duke of Sussex founded Invictus Games -- an annual international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women both serving and veterans -- in 2004.
The Pat Tillman Award is "given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman," per ESPN.
Tillman was a former NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals. However, he made a shift in his career when he enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002 following the September 11 attacks. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan but was killed in 2004 by friendly fire. He was 27.
Tillman was awarded the Silver and Purple Heart for his bravery.
